AQA Psychology A Level Psya4 Media Psychology Past Questions

AQA Psychology Psya4R June 2015 Media Psychology Past Questions

Please note – the PSYA4R paper was the replacement paper for unit 4 which some schools sat. Other schools sat PSYA4 which was the original paper; The reason for this was the exam paper was stolen as reported in the guardian newspaper; AQA subsequently sent replacement exam papers for unit 4 (PSYA4R) however not all schools were able to use them so close to the exams and therefore sat the original paper – therefore some schools sat PSYA4R while others sat PSYA4.

Discuss one or more explanations of how the media influences anti-social behaviour (4+6 marks)

A mobile phone company feels that the market for phones for people aged 65+ is not sufficiently developed. They have produced a phone that is slightly larger, with a larger keypad, clearer display, and fewer but more straightforward applications.

Using your knowledge of the persuasiveness of TV advertising, what advice would you give to the company so that it could make the TV advertising campaign as effective as possible? Refer to psychological research to justify your advice. (10 marks)

Outline the findings of one or more studies of intense fandom (4 marks)

AQA Psychology Psya4 June 2015 Media Psychology Past Questions

Describe the findings of one or more studies into the negative effects of video games on behaviour (4 marks)

Obesity is a serious public health concern and the government wishes to encourage people to become more physically active. The government decides to use a TV advertising campaign to encourage adults to be more physically active, such as walking to work.

Use your knowledge of the Elaboration Likelihood Model of persuasion to suggest features of a successful TV advertising campaign to encourage adults to become more active. (10 marks)

Outline one evolutionary explanation of attraction to celebrity (4 marks)

AQA Psychology Psya4 June 2014 Media Psychology Past Questions

Eleven year-old Matt often watches 18 certificate films with his older brothers. He invites his friend John round to play and they watch a violent film together. John isn’t allowed to watch violent films at home and he finds some of the scenes frightening. John’s heart races and he feels sick. Matt isn’t upset at all by the film and finds the violent scenes amusing. Teachers have noticed that Matt sometimes gets into fights in the playground but John avoids fights.

Using your knowledge of explanations of media influences on anti-social behaviour, explain the different behaviours shown by Matt and John. (10 marks)

As part of his research into intense fandom, a psychologist examined comments posted on a fan website for a famous “boyband”. He found that most fans discussed concerts, favourite songs and band souvenirs. However, a small number were more intensely involved with the band. These fans spent their weekends following the band around the country when they were on tour, in the hope of catching a glimpse of their favourite celebrities. They visited the fan website several times a day to discuss the latest tweets posted by the band members on Twitter.

How would psychological research into intense fandom explain the different kinds of relationships with celebrities in the above scenario? (10 marks)

AQA Psychology Psya4 January 2013 Media Psychology Past Questions:

Discuss one or more explanations of media influence on pro-social behaviour (4+6 marks)

The government wants to reduce the number of accidents caused by drivers exceeding the 30mph speed limit in built up area. An advertising company is asked to create a television advertisement to persuade drivers to reduce their speed. Suggest some possible features of the television advertisement. Justify your suggestions with reference to the Hovland-Yale model. (10 marks)

Outline findings of research into celebrity worship (4 marks)

AQA Psychology Psya4 June 2012 Media Psychology Past Questions:

A company is about to launch a new perfume aimed at young career women and wants to devise a television advertising campaign to promote the perfume. Using your knowledge of the persuasive effects of television, what advice would you give to the company so that it could make the television advertising campaign as effective as possible? Refer to psychological research to justify your advice (10 marks)

Outline one or more evolutionary explanations of the attraction of “celebrity” (4 marks)

AQA Psychology Psya4 January 2012 Media Psychology Past Questions:

Outline the elaboration likelihood model of persuasion. Explain how a mobile phone company might use knowledge of this model in a campaign to market a new phone (4+6 marks)

Researchers conducted a study of media influences on anti-social behaviour. The researchers asked child participants to name their favourite TV programmes. Fifteen years later, the researchers assessed the same participants for levels of anti-social behaviour. Two measures of adult anti-social behaviour were obtained for each participant.

Measure A: The researchers interviewed a person who knew the participant well and asked them about the participants behaviour.

Measure B: The researchers studied official records of the participants criminal convictions.

The researchers concluded that there was a link between watching violent TV and programmes as a child and levels of adult aggression.

Other than ethical issues, Explain two methodological problems involved in the study described above (4 marks)

Outline and evaluate research into celebrity stalking (4+6 marks)

AQA Psychology Psya4 June 2011 Media Psychology Past Questions:

A local school head teacher wants to produce a leaflet for parents about the possible effects of videogames and computers on young people. Suggest what information should be included in the leaflet. Use your knowledge of psychological research in this area to justify your advice. (10 marks)

Outline the Hovalnd-Yale model of persuasion (5 marks)

Outline and evaluate findings of research into intense fandom (4+6 marks)

AQA Psychology Psya4 January 2011 Media Psychology Past Questions:

In a study, researchers investigated celebrity worship in young people. They sent two questionnaires to several hundred university students. One questionnaire measured attitudes to celebrity and the other questionnaire measured self-esteem. The researchers analysed the completed questionnaires and found a significant correlation between low self-esteem and high levels of celebrity worship.

Explain one methodological and one ethical issue that might have arisen in this study (2+2 marks)

Discuss one or more explanations for the effectiveness of television in persuasion (5 + 8 marks)

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